Loans

Broadband Loans
Rural Broadband Access, to provide loans and loan guarantees to fund the cost of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment for the provision of broadband service
in eligible rural communities. This final rule prescribes the types of loans available, facilities financed, and eligible applicants, as well as minimum credit support requirements to be considered for a loan.
More Info

Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loan and Combination Loan-Grant Programs
Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loan and Combination Loan-Grant Programs
The Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Program offers three funding opportunities for applicants to consider. DLT grants are made annually on a competitive basis, are highly focused into the neediest and most rural areas, and limit eligible purposes to the most cost-effective elements in a distance-learning and telemedicine network - the application interface devices. Complementing the grant program, the DLT Loan and Combination Loan-Grant Programs offer applicants larger possible dollar amounts, more comprehensive eligible purposes, and more certain application results. These programs are non-competitive, making awards on a first come, first served basis. They can fund everything a DLT grant can fund, plus telecommunications infrastructure, buildings, vehicles, and certain operating expenses.

Infrastructure Loans
USDA Rural Development continues to provide many programs for financing rural America's telecommunications infrastructure. The traditional "telephone" loan program, consisting of hardship, cost of money, and guaranteed loans, finances voice telephone service, and since 1995, every telephone line this program has constructed has been capable of providing broadband service using digital subscriber line (DSL) technology.

Rapid Re-finance
IMPORTANT NOTICE: As of August 25, 2006, the Rural Development Rapid Refinance Program has been suspended until further notice. We are not accepting new applications for this program, but we will continue to process applications already received and will continue to advance funds on approved loans.

Grants

Community Connect Grant Program
The Community-Oriented Connectivity Broadband Grant Program is designed to provide financial assistance in the form of grants to eligible applicants that will provide currently un-served areas, on a "community-oriented connectivity" basis, with broadband transmission service that fosters economic growth and delivers enhanced education, health care, and public safety services.
More Info

Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loan and Grant Program

The Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Program is specifically designed to meet the educational and health care needs of rural America through the use of advanced telecommunications technologies. With DLT grants, loans, and loan-grant combinations, we help rural communities enjoy enhanced educational opportunities, improved health care services and greater economic development. In the Grant Program, the focus is primarily on funding user equipment that operates via telecommunications to connect students and teachers or medical providers and patients at separate locations. The Loan and Combination Loan/Grant Program fund additional resources that help improve education and medical care in rural America.
More Info

Public Television Digital Transition Grant Program
These grants assist Public Television Stations serving substantial rural populations in transitioning to digital broadcast television transmission, as mandated by the Federal Communications Commission. Grant funds may be used to acquire and install facilities and software necessary for the transition. Grant funds may also be used for associated engineering and environmental studies.
More Info

Weather Radio Grant Program
Rural Development Weather Radio Transmitter Grant Program provides grant funds to finance the installation of new transmitters to extend the coverage of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Weather Radio system (NOAA Weather Radio) in rural America. The President of the United States and the United States Congress made $5 million (later reduced to $4,989,000) in grant funds available to facilitate the expansion of NOAA Weather Radio system coverage into rural areas that are not covered or are poorly covered at this time. This program provides grant funds for use in rural areas and communities of 50,000 or less inhabitants. Limited grant funds are still available; applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis until the appropriation is used in its entirety.
More Info